Breech mechanism of semi-automatic and quick-firing guns.



A. T. DAWSON & G. T. BUGKHAM. BREEGH MECHANISM OF SEMI-AUTOMATIC AND QUICK FIRING GUNS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 11, 1913.

1,088,21 3. Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

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ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON AND GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM, OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOBS TO- VICKERS LIMITED, OF WESTMINSTER,

ENGLAND.

BBEECI-I LIECHANISM 0F SEMI-AUTOMATIC AND QUICK-FIRING GUNS.

Original application filed April 1, 1912,

To all whom it may concern 1 Be it known that we, Sir ARTHUR TREVOR Dawson, knight, and GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing at Vickers House, Broadway, Westminster, in the county of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech Mechanism of Semi-Automatic and Quick- Firing Guns, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto the breech actuating mechanism of semi-automatic guns of the kind that can be converted into quick firing guns; in this type of gun we have already proposed to provide two catch devices one of which is adapted 'to lock the breech actuating hand lever to the gun when the latter is to be worked semi-automatically and the other to lock the hand lever to the block actuating spindle when'the gun is to be worked as a quick firer.

The chief object of the present invention is to so construct and arrange the said catch devices that the one forcausing the hand lever to be locked to the actuating spindle cannot be moved into its locking position without affecting the disengagement of the other catch device. In this manner it is impossible when the gun is working semi-automatically for the parts to be damaged as a result of the hand lever being unintentionally locked to the gun and to the actuating spindle at the same time. The connection between the catch devices is also such that the catch device for locking the hand lever to the gun is capable of being disengaged without disturbing the catch device appertaining to the actuating spindle, so that if the breech block should fail to return to the closed position when the gun is working semiautomatically the actuating hand lever can be moved into a position such that the last mentioned catch device engages with the actuating spindle, whereupon the latter can be moved by hand.

Tn order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into eiiect we will describe the same more fully withreference to the accompanying draw-- ings, in which Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation, a sectional side elevation and a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2%, 1914.

Serial No. 687,576. Divided and this application filed April 11, 1913. Serial No. 760,351.

plan showing a constructional form of our improvements.

A is a portion of the breech end of the gun, B the breech actuating hand lever, B its handle and B the block actuating spindle;

C represents the catch device for locking the hand lever to the actuating spindle (herein referred to as the quick firing catch) and D represents the catch device for locking the hand lever to the gun (herein referred to as the semi-automatic catch).

In the type of breech actuating mechanism to which our invention is shown applied by way of example, the actuating spindle B is provided with a toothed segment B that engages with a spring controlled rack contained in a case or cavity B forming part of the breech actuating hand lever B in a similar manner to that set forth in the specification of our application for British Patent No. 19847 of 1910. The quick firing catch C is, in the example shown, in the form of a lever pivoted at c to the hand lever B, and its forward end is adapted to engage in a recess 72 of the toothed segment B In the constructional form of, the invention shown in which the improvements are shown applied to an actuating hand lever the handle of which projects beyond the face of the breech, so that the semi-auto inatic catch D cannot conveniently be situated within the handle, the quick firing catch C is adapted to be under the control of a spring C and is provided with an upwardly projecting portion C with which the lower part of the hand of the operator comes in contact in grasping the handle B of the breech actuating hand lever B.

The semi-automatic catch D is of the spring controlled plunger type and is, in the example now being described, carried by the gun and adapted to engage in a pocket 13 in the hand lever B. The said catch is under the influence of an operating lever F pivoted at f to the hand lever and provided with an arm f that bears against the semi-automatic catch 1) and with a projecting portion F by which the said operating lever can be actuated. This operating lever is arranged above the quick firing catch C and to one side thereof, a lateral projection f on the said lever'engaging with the upper surface of the quick firing catch C. The function of the various parts is such that it is impossible to cause the quick firing catch C- to engage with the recess 6 of the pinion B without moving the semi-automatic catch D into the unlocking position, while at the same time the semi-automatic catch D can, by means of the operating lever F, be moved out of engagement with the actuating hand lever without moving the quick firing catch.

hat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is In the breech actuating mechanism of semi-automatic and quick firing guns, the

'With the hand lever and in contact with said second lever.

In testimony whereof we aifiX our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON. GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM.

VVit-nesses HENRY KING, J NO. R. CAsWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. V 

